AGADIR CRI SOUSS MASSA 2016 REVIEW 205 PROJECTS AND 5000 JOB OPPORTUNITIES. 55% OF INVESTMENTS IN TOURISM.
During 2016, the CRI Souss Massa validated an overall investment amount of the order of3,036 million Dhs, relating to205 investment projects
Compared to the year 2015, this year recordedan increase of 10% in terms of validated investment amounts, excluding the exceptional development due to the validation of the 2nd and 3rd phases of the thermo-solar power plant project of Ouarzazate “Noor1” and “Noor2” having occurred during the 1semester of the year 2015.
The sectoral breakdown of these investment projects concerning tourism, services, commerce, mines, industry, construction, etc.
The year 2016 was mainly marked by the validation of new tourist projects which consolidate the attractiveness of the Agadir destination, which raises the Tourism sector in first place in terms of investments made at the regional level. Indeed, the accommodation and tourist entertainment projects validated during the year represent more than55% of the total investments committedin Souss Massa, or nearly 1,673 million dhs.
Among the flagship projects which mark this year, those validated at the new tourist resort of Taghazout. Indeed, two major projects have received the favorable opinion of the regional investment commission and are consolidating the tourist offer of the destination, these are:
- Construction project for the MARRIOTT TAGHAZOUT BAY hotel for a total investment of 500 million dhs;
- Project to develop a tennis academy for a total investment of 400 million dhs.
The services sector, for its part, occupies second position in terms of investments committed at the regional level. With an envelope that exceeds 504 million dhs services represent more than 16% of investments validated in 2016. Two major projects marked this year:
- Project for development, equipment, operation and maintenance of the north quay terminal of the Port of Agadir presented by the Société de Manutention d’Agadir SA for an investment of 232 million dhs. This project will create 300 jobs.
- Project for the construction of a multidisciplinary clinic presented by the VITAHALT Company for an investment of more than 57 million dhs. This project will create 72 jobs.
The sector which is placed in third position is that of commerce which represents11% of the total investments committed in Souss Massa, representing an envelope of341 million dhs. Indeed, the year 2016 was marked by the validation of a major Showroom project in the Municipality of Agadir presented by the company“RG TRADING”. This luxury car exhibition space will extend over more than 2,800m² and will require an investment of 96 million dhs. This project will ultimately allow the creation of60 direct employment positions.
Concerning business creations, the CRI Souss Massa has investigated572 requests for business creation during 2016, with an investment amount of 323 million Dhs generating 2,718 jobs.
Legal entities represent 86% of business creations having transited by the CRI Souss Massa with a predominance ofthe S.A.R.L which represents 94%of the Personnes Morales creations.
Compared to the total number of requests for negative certificates granted during the year 2016, it is of the order of1,845. By legal nature, we note thatS.A.R.Ls come in first position with 70%certificates granted, followed by individuals with 26% of certificates granted.
Analysis of the number of certificates awarded by sector of activity shows that the construction sector occupies first place with 28%, followed by the services sector which represents 23%. Third position is occupied by the trade sector with 21% of certificates granted. The agriculture and fishing sector represents 10% of certificates granted, followed by the industry (9%) and tourism (9%) sectors.
As for mining activity, one of the pillars of growth at the regional level,265 authorizations were signed during the first half of 2016totaling an investment amount of nearly 172 million Dhs.
The authorizations granted mainly relate to the province of Taroudant with 55% of the authorizations granted. Tiznit province occupies second place with 26% of mining authorizations issued, followed by Tata province with 15% of said authorizations.
It should be noted that given the restructuring of the regulatory framework relating to the processing of mining authorizations, the CRI Souss Massa did not receive any mining authorization requests during the 2nd half of 2016.
The presentation of the CRI report coincided with the blocking of the Agadir land and Agadircamp project, by the Urban Agency pretexting the existence of an effective seismic zone in the location of this important project. However, all of Agadir is in a seismic zone and not just the location planned for the project. This blockage has caused a lot of ink and saliva to flow because of its importance and because of the “reason” for the blockage which fails to convince anyone. Everyone is waiting for the continuation of events due to the proposals to find another location for the project, emanating from the CRI.
He who lives will see.
Mohamed RIAL
